Key Points:
- Iowa landed four-star quarterback Tradon Bessinger, adding a top talent to its 2026 recruiting class.
- Rivals ranks Bessinger as the No. 16 quarterback nationally and the No. 4 player in Utah.
- Bessinger becomes Iowa’s only quarterback commit in 2026, filling a critical need for the program.
The No. 20 Iowa Hawkeyes are 6-2 going into a pivotal Week 11 matchup against the No. 9 Oregon Ducks. It’s a must-win for Iowa, which is looking to keep its slim Big Ten title and College Football Playoff hopes alive. The Hawkeyes are set to enter the game as 4.5-point underdogs according to ESPN BET.
Head coach Kirk Ferentz is obviously focused on the 2025 season with four regular-season games remaining, but the future also remains a priority. One player he had his eye on was class of 2026 quarterback Tradon Bessinger out of Kaysville, Utah. He committed to the Boise State Broncos on May 19, but backed out on Oct. 27, reopening his recruitment.
Bessinger had scholarship offers from teams such as the BYU Cougars, the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Appalachian State Mountaineers. However, on Saturday, he made his decision, committing to Iowa, according to Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett.
It’s a huge addition for the Hawkeyes, as Rivals Industry Rankings place him as a four-star recruit, the No. 16 quarterback, the No. 4 player in Utah and the No. 233 player in the nation.
In 12 games this season for Davis High School, Bessinger has been extremely productive. He completed 333 of 438 passes for 4,313 yards, 53 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also has rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
How Bessinger Adds to Iowa’s 2026 Class
Bessinger becomes the 15th commitment that Iowa has landed in the 2026 cycle. He could boost the group in a big way, which, before his addition, ranked No. 10 in the Big Ten and No. 33 in the nation.
What makes this addition extremely vital is that the Hawkeyes have struggled to recruit quarterbacks, concerning considering it’s the most important position on the field. Bessinger becomes the program’s only quarterback commit in 2026. The Hawkeyes had landed three-star Cash Herrera, but he decommitted and is now pledged to the Indiana Hoosiers.
The Hawkeyes have been a model of consistency under Ferentz, not having a losing season since 2012. Bessinger has the opportunity to join the program and help continue its winning tradition.